Foods to Reduce a Herpes Outbreak

December 14, 2007 – 1:38 pm

There are two amino acids (protein building blocks) which have a significant impact on the herpes virus. This includes both herpes simplex (mouth or genital) and herpes zoster (shingles). The amino acid Lysine can reduce the strength of a herpes outbreak, while the amino acid Arginine can actually increase the intensity and duration of the condition. During an outbreak and to prevent one from coming on, it is helpful to increase your intake of foods that contain Lysine. Likewise, it is important to reduce your intake of Arginine loaded foods. Another possibility is to increase the intake of Lysine by taking a supplement in pill form.

Listed below are foods high in Lysine, and those high in Arginine. They are listed in descending order of milligrams, the highest to lowest.

Beneficial Foods (Foods rich in Lysine to add to your diet during a break-out)

Fish

Shark

Chicken

Beef

Goat milk

Cow milk

Lamb

Mung beans

Pork

Cheese

Beans (especially mung beans and lima beans)

Cottage cheese

Brewer’s yeast

Sprouts

Crustaceans

Cooked soy beans

Eggs

Non-Beneficial Foods (Foods high in Arginine – to eliminate from diet during a break-out)